Who's Playing
Matchup: Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards
Records: Raptors (19-30), Wizards (17-31)
Where to Watch
Date: Monday, April 5
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: Sportsnet, Sportsnet One
Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Game Preview
Believe it or not, the Raptors are still in the playoff hunt.
Sporting a 19-30 record, Toronto stands just 1.5 games out of the 10 spot in the East, which would put it in the play-in tournament. But the Raptors have a tough road ahead with the seventh-toughest remaining schedule, according to Tankathon. There are no gimmies in the NBA, but the Wizards are one of the Raptors' easier remaining opponents based on record.
For the fans out there that are wondering, the Raptors currently have a 32.0 percent chance at landing a top-four pick in what's supposed to be a loaded 2021 NBA Draft. And yes, a loss to the Wizards, who currently have the sixth-worst record in the league, could increase Toronto's chances at landing higher on the draft board.
So Monday's game has a ton of intrigue either way.
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Toronto is coming off an absolute thrashing of the Golden State Warriors. Not much goes wrong when you beat a team by 53, but the Raptors may have lost Fred VanVleet to a hip injury in the third quarter of Friday's game. VanVleet is questionable for Monday's matchup.
The Wizards may also be missing their star guard, as Bradley Beal will likely be a game-time decision on Monday. Beal has missed Washington's last four games dealing with a hip alignment.
Without Beal in the lineup, the Wizards have struggled to score. Washington is averaging 100.0 points per 100 possession in their last four games. They'd love to get the NBA's leading scorer back against the Raptors.
As it's been in most Raptors games this season, the rebounding battle will be worth watching. The Raptors and Wizards are two of the worst rebounding teams in the league, ranking in the bottom fifth in rebounding percentage, according to NBA Stats.
Whoever gets the upper hand on the glass will probably will Monday night.
Injury Report
Raptors
- Jalen Harris (right hip pointer) - Out
- Rodney Hood (right hip soreness) - Day-to-day
- Patrick McCaw (left knee swelling) - Out
- Paul Watson (Health and Safety Protocols) - Out
- Kyle Lowry (right foot infection) - Out
- Fred VanVleet (hip) — Day-to-day
Wizards
- Bradley Beal (hip) — Day-to-day
- Rui Hachimura (shoulder) — Day-to-day
- Daniel Gafford (ankle) — Out
- Thomas Bryant (knee) — Out
Raptors vs. Wizards: Betting odds, spread, over/under
Spread: Raptors -4.5 (-110), Warriors +4.5 (-110)
Raptors Money line: -185
Warriors Money line: +165
Over/under: 228.5 (-110)
*Odds courtesy of William Hill Sports Book
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